Evaporative condenser



J1me 1952 A. E. DEMPSEY, JR

EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 ZSnventor fiz? (Ittomeg June 1952 A. E. DEMPSEY, JR

EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 O a 8 6 w a Z sa 40 o o a :6 a. z a I, a w z 4 n -1- mfiv a .l m .w a H 2 v 2 KL w r n w M I I 1 6| 0 u 0 k l a 8 z 4 7 m aw s 3 June 17, 1952 A. E. DEMPSEY, JR 2,600,733

EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER Filed Dec. 7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet s (Iltorneg Ififentor Patented June 17, 1952' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE EVAPORATIVE OONDENSER Arthur E. Dempsey, Jr., Council Bluffs, Iowa Application December 7, 1948, Serial No. 63,939

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to condensers and more particularly it is an object of the invention to provide an evaporative condenser of more efficient construction than heretofore.

The coils of evaporative condensers of the prior art have been enclosed and air passing from one end of the enclosure across the coils to the other end of the enclosure is warmed by those coils it first strikes so that partially warmed air passes across successive coils in the enclosure. The efficiency of cooling is greater, however, in inverse proportion to the air temperature passing across the coils.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an evaporative condenser having its coll pen to the air so that cool air, which has n t been already warmed by other coils, can pass across each turn of the condenser coil for providing greater cooling efliciency.

Yet another object of the invention is o p vide an evaporative condenser as described which will require less power input for drivin an air propelling fan because of the freedom with which air can pass across the several turns of the coil thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an evaporative condenser as described which may be more economically constructed, unnecessary and undesirable parts being eliminated in the condenser of the invention with respect to condensers of the prior art.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a condenser the coils of which are readily visible to an inspector or to a casual but interested passerby for seeing any slime deposited upon the coils so that the slime may be removed conveniently, since the coils are readily accessible, to restore the condenser to maximum operating efficiency.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a condenser constructed in a manner so that corrosion and pitting of the coils thereof, caused by the different types of water available in different communities, may be readily seen by an inspector or operator and in time. for repair thereof.

Still a further object of the invention resides in theprovision of an evaporative condenser so constructed that water is delivered to th different sides of a coil thereof with even distribution.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an evaporative condenser, the fan driving motor of which may be smaller in proportion to total results, since air is adapted to flow across the turns of the coils thereof more easily 7 than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide an evaporative condenser the openings between the several turns of the coil of which are proportional to fan capacity and proportional to the distance of each turn from the fan thereof and with respect to the other turns of the coil for greater efiiciency.

still a further object of the invention is to provide an evaporative condenser as described so constructed that the fan thereof functions as a centrifuge to throw any water in the air going past the fan outwardly therefrom against hood walls which convey the said water back to the condenser coil.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a condenser as described the coil of which functions as its own frame for eliminating the cost of a frame, and to provide a condenser the coil of which forms its own air passage for eliminating special duct work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eihcient' in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the evaporative condenser of the invention, parts of the condenser being broken away for showing the interior thereof, ther parts of a conventional refrigeration apparatus being shown in dotted lines and in smaller proportion;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the evaporative condenser as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a view-in-section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

The evaporative condenser of this invention has many uses, but will be here illustrated as used with conventional refrigeration apparatus. Such apparatus includes a compressor 10 shown in Figure l, driven by a suitable motor l2, and being disposed in series with a cooling coil M. A valve I6 is conventionally provided in the line l8 leading from the coil I4 to the condenser of a refrigeration system,

On the downstroke of the iston, not shown, in the compressor I0 cold gas, or other refrigerant, is sucked into the compressor and durin an upstroke of the compressor piston the resecured thereto.

to the outside of the lower edge of the hood 34 and is provided with a normally horizontal portion extending inwardly of the lower edge of the avertical shaft 42.

squirrel-cage fan 40 with a suitable driving motor '44--which latter is vertically disposed above the 3 frigerant is compressed. The compressed gas passing through the coil 14 expands taking up heat and cooling the surrounding air.

The line [8 is disposed in communication with the coil 20 of the condenser of the invention, those parts above described and shown in dotted lines being old and conventional.

The coil 20 of this invention is provided with a plurality of spaced apart convolutions, disposed in a helical configuration. The convolutions of the coil 20 define a cylinder which is normally vertically disposed.

The coil 20 is preferably composed of material of sufficient strength such that it forms its own frame and considerable framing is not necessary. The coil 29 is at its'upper end" disposed in communication with a line 24 which conducts refrigerant back to the compressor Ill.

The condenser of the invention is provided with four legs 28 which latter are connected to supporting bars 30 which latter are preferably disposed on four sides of the coil 20. The supporting bars 30 are vertically disposed for the purpose of upholding a cylindrical water hood 34 which latter isprovided with an open bottom and open top and is disposed with its axis vertical.

The hood 34 is provided'with a lower rim 35 The rim member 35 is secured hood and adjoining the top of the latter 'described frusto-conical bafile. The-normally hori- -zontal part of the rim 35 is provided with a cirscribed.

The hood 34 is supported above the coil 20 and spaced apart therefrom, suitable bolts 36 and spacers 38 being employed for attaching the hood 34 to the vertical supporting bars 30. Within the hood 34 a squirrel-cage fan is disposed upon The shaft 42, connects the hood 34.

.It will be seen that the motor 44 need not be of as great a power for emcientoperation as would be necessary with a similar coil condenser,

having an outer chassis, since air can flow more freely between the convolutions-of the coil 20.

Itwill also be seen that the convolutions themselves form an air duct so that other duct work is unnecessary.

.Cross braces E1 are disposed across the top of the hood 34 for securing the motor thereto. Beneath the hood 34 a water directing baffle 54 is provided. The bafile 54 is of frusto-conical shape and is disposed with its axis vertical.

The lower end of the bafiie 54 is disposedwith its edge above the uppermost convolutions of the coil 20 so that water flowing downwardly across the inclined top of the bafiie 54 willflowdownwardly across the convolutions of the coil 20 and on all sides thereof.

-A- skirt 60 is secured-to theinside of the bottom of. the baflle54. The skirt Gills of'substantially a hollow cylindrical shape and is disposed with its axis vertical. The outer sides of the skirt 60 are disposed inwardly and closely adjacent the uppermost convolutions of the coil 20. At the lower end of the coil 20 and on the inner side of the lowermost convolutions thereof a cylindrical guide bafile 66 is provided having an open bottom and. an open top. The guide bafile 56, as best shown in Figure 2 is positioned inwardly and in spaced relation to the tank or pan 90. Beneath the guide member 66 a pan 9!] is provided for the purpose of catching water dripping downwardly across the convolutions of the coil 20.

The pan 90 is preferably circular and is of a diameter larger than the convolutions of the coil 20.

The. pan- 90 is provided with an outlet pipe in communication therewith and having a valve ill.

The outlet pipe 80 has a valve 84 secured thereto; the valve 84 being of the. type 'employingyan arm 86 and a float 81 for'opening andclosing itself.

The purpose of the valve 84 is to conduct water away from the collecting tank or pan 90 periodically and at times when the pan is sufficiently filledwith water.

The pan 90 is also provided withan overflow safety pipe 94 extending'into the upper end thereof for preventing overflow of the tank 90. Adjacent the bottom of the pan 9!] a cooling water return pipe cs is disposed and the latter extends to a pump 98.

The outlet side of the pump 98 is connected to a pipe 100 which latter extends upwardly and enters the hood 34' adjacent thereof'for recirculating cooling water from the tank 80' to the hood 34.

The convolutions of the coil 20- are preferably spaced apart greater distances from each other in proportion with their-distance from the fan 49 so that air passing between those convolutions which are farthest from the fan can pass through more readily for pulling the air evenly between the various convolutions. Thisis desirable since if the spacing were the same-allthe way along, the majority of the air would pass between the convolutions nearest the fan since the airpull would be greatest there.

In operation it will-be seen that cooling water from the pump 98 is carried to the-hood 34 'and will flow downwardly to the apertures 31 evenly across the baflle 54 and downwardly across the coil 20, on all sides thereof.

lhe lower end of the cylindrical skirt 66 should project below the-water level in the tank 90 to prevent air from passing from the topof the tank 90 and up under the skirt 66.

The absence of an outer cover or jacket permits air to pass directly between each of the convolutions, so that at least some fresh cool air is'striking each convolution.

The cooling water falling down across the coil into the tank's!) is caused to recirculate through the pipe 96 to the pump again.

This invention hasprovided an evaporative condenserwhich ismore efficient and economical in construction-than heretofore; which requires less power for efficient operation and which is of durable and accessible construction.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that an evaporative condenser conf structed'in accordancewith my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which'it may be assembled and operated, and itwill'alsobeobvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as claimed.

Iclaim:

1. In a condenser, the combination which comprises a vertically disposed pipe coil having an outlet connection at the upper end and an inlet connection at the lower end, a frusto-conical shape baflle positioned upon the upper end of the said coil with the diameter of the lower end of the baflie being less than the outside diameter of the coil, said baflle having a depending skirt extended downwardly and positioned against the inner surface of the coil, a horizontally disposed water collecting tank below the coil and positioned to receive water dripping from the coil, a cylindrical guide baflle positioned inwardly and in spaced relation to said tank and extended upwardly into the lower end of the coil and extended downwardly into the tank and to a point below the level of water in the tank, spaced vertically disposed supporting bars positioned against the outer surface of the coil and having outwardly offset lower ends extended over the peripheral wall of the tank, means supporting the said tank by the said offset lower ends of the support bars, a cylindrical hood having a perforated inwardly extended rim on the lower end positioned above the said frusto-conical shape bafile on the upper end of the coil, means supporting the said hood from the said support bars with the hood positioned to feed water supplied thereto to the outer surface of the said frustoconical shaped baflle, a horizontally disposed fan mounted on the upper end of the frusto-conical shaped bafile and positioned in the said cylindrical hood for exhausting air from the interior of the coil, and means recirculating water from the tank to the hood.

2. In a condenser, the combination which comprises a vertically disposed pipe coil having an outlet connection at the upper end and an inlet connection at the lower end, the spaces between the convolutions of said coil increasing in width progressively toward the lower end of the coil, a frusto-conical shape bafile positioned upon the upper end of the said coil with the diameter of the lower end of the baflle bein less than the outside diameter of the coil, said baffle having a depending skirt extended downwardly and positioned against the inner surface of the coil, a horizontally disposed water collecting tank below the coil and positioned to receive water dripping from the coil, a cylindrical guide baflle positioned inwardly and in spaced relation to said tank and extended upwardly into the lower end of the coil and extended downwardly into th tank and to a point below the level of water in the tank, spaced vertically disposed supporting bar positioned against the outer surface of the coil and having outwardly offset lower ends extended over the peripheral wall of the tank, means supporting the said tank by the said offset lower ends of the support bars, a cylindrical hood having a perforated inwardly extended rim on the lower end positioned above the said frusto-conical shape baffle on the upper end of the coil, means supporting the said hood from the said support bars, with the hood positioned to feed water supplied thereto to the outer surface of the said frustoconical shaped bafile, a horizontally disposed fan mounted on the upper end of the frusto-conical shaped baflle and positioned in the said cylindrical hood for exhausting air from the interior of the coil, and means recirculating water from the tank to the hood.

3. In a condenser, the combination which comprises a vertically disposed pipe coil having an outlet connection at the upper end and an inlet connection at the lower end, the spaces between the convolutions of said coil increasing in width progressively toward the lower end of the coil, a frusto-conical shape baflle positioned upon the upper end of the said coil with the diameter of the lower end of the bafile being less than the outside diameter of the coil, said baflle having a depending skirt extended downwardly and positioned against the inner surface of the coil, a horizontally disposed water collecting tank below the coil and positioned to receive water dripping from the coil, a cylindrical guide bafile positioned inwardly and in spaced relation to said tank and extended upwardly into the lower end of the coil and extended downwardly into the tank and to a point below the level of water in the tank, spaced vertically disposed supporting bars positioned against the outer surface of the coil and having outwardly offset lower ends extended over the peripheral wall of the tank, means supporting the said tank by the said offset lower ends of the support bars, a cylindrical hood having a perforated inwardly extended rim on the lower end positioned above the said frusto-conical shape baffle on the upper end of the coil, means supporting the said hood from the said support bars, with the hood positioned to feed water supplied thereto to the outer surface of the said frustoconical shaped baffle, a horizontally disposed fan mounted on the upper end of the frusto-conical shaped baflie and positioned in the said cylindrical hood for exhausting air from the interior of the coil, means recirculating water from the tank to the hood, and means regulating the water level in the tank.

ARTHUR E. DEMPSEY, J R.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 410,287 Kuhn Sept. 3, 1889 672,555 Hill Apr. 23, 1901 1,394,627 Koedding Oct. 25, 1921 1,627,713 Seymour May 10, 1927 2,117,411 Erbach May 17, 1938 2,509,031 Bockmeyer May 23, 1950 

